C.M.
Ventura County Human Services Agency v. C.M.
Opinion
lead Opinion
Perren, J.
C.M. appeals an order of the juvenile court terminating parental rights and finding her child adoptable. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 366.26.) She contends the juvenile court erred in giving the notices required by the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) ( 25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.). We affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Respondent Ventura County Human Services Agency (Agency) filed a juvenile dependency petition on behalf of two-year-old K.M. on November 14, 2006. The petition alleged the mother, C.M., did not properly supervise or care for the child. C.M. had untreated mental and emotional problems and was incarcerated for child endangerment. The child’s father is unknown.
C.M. indicated on an Indian ancestry questionnaire that she was, or might be, a member of the “Cherakia” tribe. Based on this information, the Agency gave notice of the December 7, 2006, jurisdiction and disposition hearing to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. The notices contained only the names and addresses of C.M. and the presumed father. The Eastern Band and United Keetoowah Band sent…